In 2010 there were a reported 26,875 car thefts in the state of Michigan according to the FBI. In 2011 there were about 25,048.
Dan Vartanian, executive director of the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, believes his organization might have contributed to the drop.
“I’d like to say it was all us but I’d be kidding myself,” he said. ”I do think we’ve had a role.”
The ATPA was established legislatively in 1986 after state lawmakers grew dissatisfied with the high number of car thefts in the state, in particular in Southeast Michigan.
The program sets aside $1 for every insured car on the road, giving the program a total allotment of just more than $6 million, a number that Vartanian said has stayed consistent throughout the years.
Vartanian said the rate has not changed since the program was founded in 1986, even though the budget needs of the program have increased.
“You see the cost of living going up, everything is more expensive,” he said. “We’re only doing half of what we used to.”
The program used to pay for the salary of special officers hired to only stop car theft. Although 90 percent of the budget still goes to that cause, it now only pays for half the salary of an officer. According to Vartanian, this puts more pressure on local law enforcement agencies.
State legislators are currently reviewing a bill that would increase the amount billed per car to $2.
Vartanian said his organization and increased measures from manufacturers have contributed to car thefts dropping by 65 percent in the history of the program.
Although these safety measures may bring more piece of mind to drivers, there are still ways to have your vehicle stolen that Vartanian warned against.
“It’s not rocket science,” he said. “Many people have had their cars stolen because they leave their keys in the car of they try to hide a second pair.”
Vartanian said among other things it is important to not leave valuables in plain sight.
“If a thief doesn’t have anything to steal, they aren’t going to steal anything,” he said.
